Headquarters Report › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › ›

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023

By Alex Stowe, NATM Interim Executive Director

I hope you all have had a happy new year! This will be a year that presents new opportunities for the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) as we introduce our new strategic plan. The start of a new year also marks the beginning of new leadership for NATM with the departure of Executive Director Kendra Ansley. We wish her the best in future endeavors, and her knowledge and assistance will be missed by NATM. I am honored and excited to serve the Association as interim executive director until a permanent replacement is determined.

I am eagerly awaiting the 35th annual NATM Convention & Trade Show, which is right around the corner. With cold weather and snow here at headquarters, the heat and barbecue in Fort Worth will be a welcome break. With over 1,100 members, the Convention is an incredible opportunity to meet with an average of 1,100 attendees all in one place. For those who enjoy golf, we will also be bringing back our Top Golf event on Monday, Feb. 13. I am personally a horrible golfer but enjoy the opportunity to meet with members and staff in a more casual setting. The convention itself will feature multiple great speakers bringing their expertise and knowledge to attendees. I look forward to seeing you all in Fort Worth!

2023 will mark the first year of NATM’s new strategic plan, and with the assistance of our Board, we are excited to share those updates with you in the coming months. NATM’s overall vision and mission have not changed from advancing trailer safety and promoting industry success. As an association, we will be looking to deliver more value to the membership via educational benefits, our Compliance Verification Program, and consumer education through Trailer Safety Week, which takes place the first week of June. This is an exciting time to be a part of NATM, and I am excited to see where the new strategic plan guides the Association.

In addition to a new strategic plan, 2023 will also be filled with new faces as Board elections and new committees set to start their work following Convention. I look forward to our new Board members and committees bringing fresh perspectives and industry expertise and know NATM is poised to generate more value for members in 2023. As part of the new strategic plan, NATM has worked to update committee goals and how they are tracked. Although these committee goals are not currently set as of the writing of this article, the Board brought forth new ideas on how to assist committees in working to expand NATM and its offerings to members.

While I am excited for the future, 2023 also marks the end of current NATM Board President Marty Lorick’s time leading NATM’s Board. Marty has been a great advocate for NATM and has assisted me greatly during this leadership transition. Marty’s ability to gather feedback and provide insights has been an invaluable addition to NATM’s Board. Josh Johnson of Big Tex Trailers will begin serving as the new Board president following Convention. Josh will be able to use his years of industry knowledge and time spent on NATM committees and the Board to assist the Association in implementing our new strategic plan and ensuring NATM will continue to prosper in the years ahead.

The NATM staff will continue to generate new ideas on how to improve the Association while also using our years of industry knowledge to ensure we are providing the best service we can to our members.

I hope you have an excellent year that is filled with success! ■

Alex Stowe Interim NATM Executive Director